Teri Hendrich C
Teri Hendrich C., a Los Angeles-based painter and AQ Volume V artist, blends fine art with astrology, using rich color and abstract forms to explore unseen energies and personal narratives. Drawing inspiration from celestial archetypes and esoteric symbolism, her work transforms the intangible into evocative, visual storytelling. In this interview, she shares her artistic journey, creative rituals, and the inspirations behind her latest series, Venus in the 12th.
Deanna Schuerbeke
Deanna Gauthier, a self-taught artist, channels her journey across North America into abstract landscapes that evoke emotional responses rather than direct representations of nature. Featured in AQ Volume 5, Deanna shares her exploration of dualities in life and nature through a process of experimentation, emotion, and ritual. Learn how her work balances intuition with design principles and reflects her unique connection to the world around her.
Willow Heath
Willow Heath, featured in AQ Volume 5, brings her vibrant watercolor paintings to life by capturing light and luminosity with the transparency of the medium. Known as the "Watercolor Witch of Seattle," Heath’s whimsical and technique-driven work explores reflection, color nuance, and the beauty of everyday objects. In this interview, she shares insights into her creative process, the challenges of balancing multiple artistic roles, and her latest solo show at Axis Gallery in February. Dive into the magic of Willow Heath's artistry and her passion for community-driven creation.
Kathryn D'Elia
Kathryn D’Elia's vibrant and thoughtful oil paintings critically examine the pressures of modern American life, using familiar objects and cinematic settings to delve into themes of fear, humor, and wonder. Featured in AQ Volume 5, D’Elia combines post-impressionism, surrealism, and a playful approach to challenge perceptions of reality and self. Explore how her work invites viewers to question societal norms while reflecting on personal identity and contemporary struggles.
Ai Sogawa Campbell
Ai Sogawa Campbell's abstract work is deeply inspired by nature's fluid dynamics and her cultural roots in Japan. In this feature from AQ Volume 5, Campbell shares her creative journey, discussing her experimental process and the emotional impact of revisiting her homeland. From intricate ink pouring to personal stories of home and identity, Ai’s work invites viewers to explore the unexpected connections that shape her artistic path.
Lïlï Dauphinee
Through intricate layers of oil and mixed media, AQ Volume 5 artist Lïlï Dauphinee explores themes of neurodivergence, isolation, and unity. Her signature tic-tac marks embody the unseen bonds that connect us all, challenging the perception of separateness. Based in Belize, Dauphinee’s practice is shaped by her environment and personal journey, offering a profound perspective on our place within the greater whole. Read her full interview to learn more about her inspirations, challenges, and artistic rituals.
Crystal Villegas
Crystal Villegas, a self-taught oil painter from Chicago, brings surrealism to life through her exploration of dreams, nature, and the complexities of human emotions. Featured in AQ Volume 5, Villegas’ debut collection, The Nature of Need, delves into themes of self-care, identity, and the profound connection between biology and psychology. Discover how her work continues the tradition of fine art storytelling in a contemporary way.
Jonathon Downing
Jonathon Downing’s portraits blur the lines between fantasy and reality, using digital montage and oil painting to create complex characters that embody the emotional journey of basketball fans and the athletes they idolize. His work delves into themes of identity, success, and the dichotomy between internal emotions and external image. Read more to explore how Downing’s innovative approach creates an alternate universe where the athletes and fans are transformed into surreal, multifaceted beings.
Jennifer Peart
Jennifer Peart's landscape paintings transcend the ordinary by blending natural elements with mid-century architecture and visionary science fiction. Based in Sacramento, California, Peart's works explore forgotten futures and abandoned possibilities, inviting viewers to reflect on humanity's connection with the planet. Her use of color, texture, and spatial inversions creates immersive portals to alternative realities, offering a hopeful vision for the future.
Debra Cook Shapiro
San Francisco-based artist Debra Cook Shapiro masterfully blends expressive brushstrokes and intricate collages to explore the emotions at the heart of social interactions. Her paintings celebrate both exuberance and quiet reflection, drawing inspiration from lush gardens, Mediterranean beaches, and intimate gatherings. Shapiro’s work invites viewers to experience the nuanced emotions of fleeting moments, as seen through the eyes of peripheral figures at these celebrations. Explore the joy, nostalgia, and complexity of human connections in her latest works.
Tara Aarons
From stained glass restoration to set design in Hollywood, Tara Aarons has forged a unique path as an artist. Her oil paintings, shaped by historical craftsmanship and her love of fantasy and sci-fi, are a testament to her dedication to traditional techniques and deep understanding of light and shadow. Explore how Tara's artistic journey, rooted in New York's rich culture and refined through her Los Angeles experiences, continues to inspire her work today.
Sikara Sokel
Sikara Sokel, a contemporary painter from Harpers Ferry, WV, brings traditional portraiture to life through extreme contrasts of color and light. Her approach captures emotional depth through dynamic setups and vibrant color schemes, often collaborating with close friends as her models. Read more about Sikara’s artistic process and her upcoming projects in our latest feature.
Sarah Renzi Sanders
Discover the breathtaking surreal works of Sarah Renzi Sanders, a contemporary artist whose paintings express the interconnectedness of the earth, femininity, and rebirth. Inspired by her meditations in nature, Renzi uses luminous colors and organic textures to create landscapes that evoke a sense of balance and life. Explore her artistic journey and the meaningful themes that drive her work, from motherhood to the sacredness of the natural world.
Megan Elizabeth
Megan Elizabeth's abstract paintings invite viewers to experience nature’s beauty through dynamic layers of color and texture. Her work, inspired by the play of light and shadow on natural elements, has been showcased internationally and is collected by private and corporate collectors. Megan's artistic process, deeply rooted in the power of fleeting moments, explores the delicate balance between feminine energy and the natural world. Read more about how her paintings capture the essence of movement and light.
Abra Johnson
Abra Johnson’s oil paintings transport viewers into moments of nostalgia, capturing the essence of food, spirits, vintage items, and Americana. With a keen eye for realism and a love for reflective and transparent surfaces, her work strikes a balance between photorealism and expressive brushwork. Whether on canvas or her signature custom-cut wood panels, Abra’s art invites us to rediscover the beauty in everyday objects.
Amy Spassov
Amy Spassov’s art, honed over three decades of self-directed exploration, reflects her profound connection to nature. Working with layers of paint and collage, she embarks on a journey of discovery with every piece she creates. Read about her process, the peace she finds in her studio, and how her work has resonated with collectors and art lovers worldwide.
Danielle Biglin
Danielle Biglin’s journey to becoming an artist is one of inspiration and determination. At 40, she decided to pursue her lifelong dream and hasn’t looked back since. Known for her nostalgic oil and acrylic paintings, Danielle’s work captures the essence of cherished family moments—think card games, cocktails, and birthday parties, all infused with a retro 80s charm. Now a full-time artist living in Richmond, Virginia, Danielle’s story and art continue to connect with audiences across generations.
Natasha Mott
Natasha Mott’s paintings celebrate life, joy, and nostalgia through her impressionistic beach scenes. Influenced by retro color palettes and the magic of summer holidays by the ocean, Natasha invites viewers to reflect on their own cherished memories. Her relaxed and playful style uses thick layers of acrylic paint to bring warmth, humor, and connection to each canvas.
Adam Anglin
In his latest body of work, Adam Anglin uses color-field forms and impressionist landscapes to explore the complex feelings of isolation and longing that often punctuate our lives. His paintings invite viewers to navigate the "liminal space" where moments of tension and bursts of color coexist, offering a unique perspective on human experience
Nancy Lamb
Nancy Lamb, an accomplished sculptor and painter based in Fort Worth, Texas, has captivated audiences with her vivid "Social Spaces" series and public art installations, including terrazzo designs at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. With a career spanning decades, her work has graced renowned institutions like the Dallas Museum of Art and featured in Harper's Magazine and New American Painting. Explore the artistic world of Nancy Lamb and the stories she tells through her exceptional creations.

